DNR Freshwater Fisheries Continue Pre-Season Trout Stocking

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Sarah Taylor-Rogers has announced that Freshwater Fisheries stocking crews used the recent reprieve in cold weather to stock 9,750 trout in Southern Maryland and on the Eastern Shore.

About 2,750 trout have been stocked on the Eastern Shore in the Tuckahoe Lake at Tuckahoe State Park, Shad Landing Pond at the Pocomoke River State Park & Salisbury Park Pond. As of the time of the stocking, these areas were ice-free and open to fishing.

The Fisheries stocking crew also stocked Wheatley Lake in Gilbert Run Park, Charles County, with 2,000 trout, and anglers have already reported good catches. (While Wheatley Lake is technically closed for the season, anglers are permitted to walk into the park.)

In Washington County, Greenbriar Lake was stocked with 1,500 trout, and Blairs Valley Lake received 1,000 trout. However, stocking crews reported that ice at both of these lakes has restricted fishing, since it is too thin to allow ice fishing but too thick near the shore to permit shore fishing.

The Fisheries stocking crew stocked Antietam Creek in Devils Backbone Park near Hagerstown with 1,000 trout, and Battie Mixon Pond in Allegany County near Oldtown with 1,500 trout.

Additional pre-season stocking is expected next week, weather permitting.

DNR's trout stocking program is funded by the sale of freshwater fishing licenses, trout stamps and federal Sportfish Restoration Program (Wallop-Breaux) funds, which are generated by angler and boater tax dollars.

Posted: 2-22-2001